Sonja congratulates Gaby Pither on her win in the CCI2* at Melbourne before jumping on her own horse to place second in the CCI3*
When we chatted to Sonja Johnson at a recent clinic (more training articles on this coming soon) we had two burning questions; what are her tips for leaving the starter box and how has Western Australia developed the sport of eventing to the point where it’s young riders are now winning 4* events and doing well throughout the country?
The first question was prompted by watching the video of Sonja riding Misty Isle Valentino come out of the starter box at Lakes and Craters (you can also see the video of Shenae’s cross country ride here) while the second question was one we’ve been wanting to ask for a while.
As discussed in the interview below Western Australian riders had a very good year in 2014 with Jess Manson second in the CCI3* at Sydney International Horse Trials and winning the CCI4* in Adelaide, Gaby Pither second at the CCI2* at Sydney and winning the CCI2* at Melbourne International Horse Trials and generally good results across the board for the up and coming young WA riders. Sonja explains how the sport of eventing has developed over the years thanks to the ‘family’ of eventing in WA and the eventing levy that has helped develop facilities, courses and events as well as training officials overseas and bringing high level coaches to the State.
Sonja modestly doesn’t mention that she has trained many of the up and coming young riders too but suggests that maybe it’s in the water?
Sonja Johnson
Jess Manson - who will be joining our team of bloggers at AEL very soon - on her way to her first CCI4* win in Adelaide
